Glow Plugs Death/ IP Timing? - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

psdsteve · #1 09-12-2006, 04:17 PM

I recently had an entire set of glow plugs go bad after about 6000 miles of use. They were all replaced with new Autolite GP's because that is what I had available at the time. Within about 4 months one of the plugs went bad and I dealt with it by ignoring it and using the block heater. It finally got to the point it did not want to start even with the block heater and I pulled them and replaced them, all of them were bad, as in no resistance at all.

Anyway, I badgered the parts store into replacing all of them for free and now 2 months later one has gone out. I am going to replace them with the bosch replacements before winter sets in.

However one of the people I talked to about the issue mentioned that he had seen this type of problem occur when the IP timing is offf and causing predetonation. Basically the shock of the predetonation was killing the GP's?

Has anyone heard of this type of problem?

The car runs like a topp and I would expect that there would be some performance problems if my IP timing was off enough to cause predetonation.

Maybe he just wanted to sell me another set of autolight GP's

Thanks,
Stephen

captainmonk · #2 09-12-2006, 04:27 PM

I am having that exact problem with my 6.5 chevy diesel new glow plugs gone 4 months later Truck been running just a little rough too i guess it is time pull the new IP out of the box Maybe my vehicles just have been around too long like me

Johnhef · #3 09-12-2006, 04:56 PM

AUTOLITE?

1.) dont use the autolite plugs again or champion for that matter. get the bosch.

2.) get a reamer and clean out the holes before installing the new ones. they're probabaly buring out due to carbon build up

or

3.) glow plug relay is faulty and keeping them on much longer then theyre supposed to be. easy to verify with a meter after the car has been running a few minutes.

Brian Carlton · #4 09-12-2006, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psdsteve

Maybe he just wanted to sell me another set of autolight GP's

There is only one problem with that vehicle:

Autolite glow plugs.

Old300D · #5 09-12-2006, 07:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by psdsteve

I recently had an entire set of glow plugs go bad after about 6000 miles of use. They were all replaced with new Autolite GP's because that is what I had available at the time. Within about 4 months one of the plugs went bad and I dealt with it by ignoring it and using the block heater. It finally got to the point it did not want to start even with the block heater and I pulled them and replaced them, all of them were bad, as in no resistance at all.

...

Ditto about Autolite plugs. CRAP. But "no resistance" may imply the glow plugs are still good, unless you measured them at less than an ohm. Typically the pencil type plugs open up and have infinite resistance.

barry123400 · #6 09-12-2006, 09:47 PM

To allay any suspicions of the primary timing being advanced too far. Just read one of the new plugs voltage output after engine is warmed up for it's milli volt output. Any reading of less than 13 milli volts is okay. I tend to agree it probably is the plug brand, carbon buildup or relay on continually as others have mentioned.

MercFan · #7 09-12-2006, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

2.) get a reamer and clean out the holes before installing the new ones.

BTW. Where can you get the Reamer tool - is it available through the Tool Rental program - I've sent a couple of inquiries to people but no luck...

Any suggestions?

Johnhef · #8 09-12-2006, 11:54 PM

Its cheap enough to buy- about $50 though any major tool dealer. dealers might be able to get them too if someone can come up with the part #.

activ123 · #9 09-13-2006, 12:32 AM

Phil (FASTLANE above) got me one for my 606. It came from Baumtools.com. I think it was $56. Did a good job. I know that have other reamers for other engine types.

OMEGAMAN · #10 09-13-2006, 04:33 AM

I had the exact same problems with the autolites I put in my car. Replaced with bosch and problem solved.

Hit Man X · #11 09-13-2006, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

AUTOLITE?

1.) dont use the autolite plugs again or champion for that matter. get the bosch.

My Champions in the SD have been kickin' ass and takin' names for over 18 months now in the SD...

Johnhef · #12 09-13-2006, 09:19 AM

I had a set of 4 new champion loop style for the 240D once, put them in and the car wouldn't even start. put the old ones back in and it fired right up.

Hit Man X · #13 09-13-2006, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Johnhef

I had a set of 4 new champion loop style for the 240D once, put them in and the car wouldn't even start. put the old ones back in and it fired right up.

Different style plugs.

barry123400 · #14 09-13-2006, 11:32 AM

Same basic problem though. Poor to non existent quality control in some products. Found simular problems from time to time with sparkplugs as well. Some off brand batches seem to last but generally not worth the chance. You could even get a bad batch of borch but far less likely.